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Home > Dogs > Dog Breeds > Dachshund Pitbull Mix Dog Breed Guide: Pictures, Info, Care & More!

Dachshund Pitbull Mix Dog Breed Guide: Pictures, Info, Care & More!

Pitbull vs Dachshund Mixed Breed

If you’re looking to add a new dog to your home and you’re interested in crossbreeds, a Pitbull Dachshund Mix (also known as a Dox-Bull, Doxiebull, Doxie, Bulldach, or Pitwee) might be the perfect fit. A rare and relatively new crossbreed, this breed (as the name suggests) is a cross between a Pitbull and Dachshund. The breed was first introduced in 2015, entirely by accident, when a man in Georgia found one of these pups in his yard. It’s assumed Rami, as the dog was known, was an accidental offspring.

Breed Overview

Height:

8 – 13 inches

Weight:

20 – 30 pounds

Lifespan:

8 – 12 years

Colors:

Black, brown, fawn, brindle, piebald, merle

Suitable for:

Families with older children, active families, people without other pets, experienced pet owners

Temperament:

Protective, intelligent, loyal, affectionate, stubborn, playful

The result of mixing a Pitbull and a Dachshund is an adorable, incredibly energetic, exceptionally loyal dog. Great with older children, these dogs love to play and are known for being affectionate. While you will need to expect to do some serious training to get them properly socialized, if done correctly you’ll have a friend for life. The biggest issue you might have with these pups is actually finding one, as it seems not many breeders are making them.

Pitbull Dachshund Mix Characteristics

Energy:
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability:
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health:
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan:
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Sociability:
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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Pitbull Dachshund Mix Puppies

The Pitbull Dachshund mix is very rare in the US. And even though they are becoming popular, demand is still low enough that breeders aren’t making many. You might have a challenging time finding one. You will most likely have to find a breeder if you decide this is the dog for you. However, you should make sure it’s a reputable breeder. Pitbulls are, sadly, one of the most abused dog breeds out there, so there’s a good chance you’ll run across some unsavory characters in your search. There is a minute chance you might find one of these pups at a shelter, but it’s a long shot.

With a Pitbull Dachshund, you never know from which parent they will inherit most of their characteristics. Generally, you can expect to have a playful and intelligent dog. They tend to be very loving and affectionate toward their owners and will create strong bonds with active families and older children.

Parent_breeds_Pitbull-Dachshund
Image Credit: Left – Pixabay | Right – Anna-Krivitskaya, Shutterstock

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Pitbull Dachshund Mix

Doxies are a mix of contradictions. They’re sweet, affectionate, and loyal. At the same time, they are incredibly stubborn, insanely energetic, and, at times, may be short-tempered. These pups are just as likely to want a snuggle as they are to want to run and play constantly. And while their intelligence makes learning new things easy for them, their stubbornness can get in the way of that.

Though naturally friendly, your dog will need to be trained early on to socialize them the correct way. Because the parent breeds are both known for being stubborn, your Doxie could become unruly or even aggressive if not properly trained.

Your Pitbull Dachshund Mix will want to be involved in family activities, as they don’t enjoy being on their own. In fact, leaving them alone may cause them to become anxious and act out via destructive behaviors.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

These dogs are great for families who have older children! Because they love to play, they get along well with kids. Plus, they’re a protective breed who will act if they see a potential threat, making them fabulous watchdogs. They are also incredibly loyal and will be entirely devoted to their families.

As with all dogs, there should always be an adult present when your Doxie is around children. Though sweet, they do have their limits, and if teased too much, they can lose their temper.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

The Pitbull Dachshund Mix isn’t a huge fan of other pets, but if you train and socialize them from a young age, they should be able to deal with other dogs. Mostly though, they will want your attention to themselves.

As far as smaller animals such as gerbils or cats go, these dogs will likely try to hunt them down, which won’t be fun for anyone involved.

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Things to Know When Owning a Pitbull Dachshund Mix:

As with all pets, there are a lot of things to know before you try to adopt a Pitbull Dachshund Mix and considering so few people own one of these types of dogs, it may be harder to find the information you need.

The below will tell you what you need to know about how to care for one of these fun yet challenging pups.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Nutrition and diet are important for all dogs, but especially Pitbull Dachshund Mixes. If this breed becomes overweight, they could end up with back problems.

When considering dog food, you’ll want to find a food formulated for high-energy pups — one that’s high in protein. Look for foods with protein from meat products listed as the first ingredient and those that don’t have lots of fillers or empty calories. Foods with lots of corn or wheat products will only serve as empty calories for your pup and will be more difficult for them to digest.

Since these dogs aren’t great at self-regulating when it comes to eating, don’t free-feed them. Instead, give them two to three small meals a day. Also, be careful you don’t go overboard with any treats!

Exercise 🐕

Exercise is vitally important for this breed, not only to keep them healthy but to ward off any destructive behaviors caused by boredom and excess energy. These doggos will want to play constantly, so be prepared. You’ll want to aim for 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day, broken into chunks. Because of their tiny legs and stout bodies, be careful not to overdo it as they may get injured.

Doxies love to run, so taking them for a couple of runs or walks a day will be great. If you have a backyard with a high fence, you can also let them out there to run and play. These pups also love toys (though they do tend to destroy them), so invest in some good puzzle toys for mental stimulation, as well as ropes for tug-of-war and balls to chase.

Training 🎾

While intelligent, these dogs are also ridiculously stubborn, which can make training difficult. They need a lot of training to become properly socialized and learn not to fight a leash, but they’d rather be playing instead.

If you want to train your pup on your own, be sure to use positive reinforcement and not harsher methods as these guys won’t take well to yelling or shock collars, etc. These doggos are also good at taking advantage of their cuteness, so be firm and don’t let them get away with stuff.

If you aren’t experienced with training, your best bet will be a professional trainer. These dogs need to be trained correctly, or you’ll have issues down the road.

Grooming ✂️

When it comes to shedding, how much your Pitbull Dachshund Mix sheds will be dependent on which parent’s coat they ended up with. Those with Dachshund coats will shed more than those with Pitbull coats. Overall, though, Doxies don’t tend to shed an excessive amount. Brushing them every couple of days should do the trick of keeping on top of loose hair.

You won’t have to bathe your pup too often — just once every couple of months or so (unless they’ve thrown themselves into a mud puddle or are especially stinky). In fact, cleaning them too much can cause skin irritation. When you do bathe them use a hypoallergenic product to keep skin issues at bay.

Other than the above, just make sure you’re brushing your dog’s teeth regularly, as well as doing ear checks for wax buildup, ticks, or mites, and keeping their nails trimmed.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Because they’re a crossbreed, the Pitbull Dachshund Mix inherits health conditions from both parents. Since they are a newer breed and rare, there’s less information about them, so other conditions than the below may exist.

Minor Conditions
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Distichiasis
  • Skin irritation/allergies
  • Demodicosis
Serious Conditions
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Cushing’s disease
  • Progressive retinol atrophy
  • Epilepsy

Male vs. Female

Thus far, there isn’t much difference between males and females of this breed (but who knows what will happen in the future?). The most significant difference will be that females tend to be a bit smaller than males and may be a bit more independent.

Whether you choose a male or female, be aware that these pups tend to be more aggressive to dogs of the same sex.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Pitbull Dachshund Mix

1. Rami, the original Pitbull Dachshund Mix, became internet famous.

As we said before, the original Pitbull Dachshund Mix was named Rami and was found in a man’s backyard.

When the Humane Society posted about him online in the hopes of finding him a home, he became a viral sensation garnering over 2 million hits. It was eventually decided that instead of adopting him out, Rami would be used as an ambassador dog to bring awareness about unique pets and as a therapy dog. Rami even has his own Facebook page!


2. They don’t tire out easily.

If you do find one of these cute doggos, be prepared to play with them A LOT. Their energy levels are off the charts, so you will end up playing with them for long periods.


3. These dogs are incredibly stubborn.

Both of this breed’s parents are ridiculously stubborn, making the Pitbull Dachshund Mix double the stubborn. With their tendency towards being headstrong, you’ll need to make sure to start training them early — and with an experienced trainer — to help counteract that bullheadedness!

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Conclusion

When it comes down to it, a Pitbull Dachshund Mix does make a loyal, loving, and wonderful family pet. You will just need to go through plenty of training to get them well-socialized. You’ll also need plenty of energy to keep up with these pups, so if you prefer lounging to running, these guys shouldn’t be your first choice. Still, when it comes time to binge-watch the latest and greatest Netflix has to offer, these dogs will make exceptional snuggle buddies.

While this unique crossbreed makes for an interesting addition to your home, there are some downsides. If you end up deciding upon one of these cuties, you’ll need to make sure you’re well-equipped to handle them. You’ll also need lots of patience since the hunt to find one could take a while. But if you have the time, patience, and experience, this breed will be well worth it.

See also:


Featured Image Credit:  Left – Pitbull (Maya K Photography); Right – Dachshund (Masarik, Shutterstock)

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